Across the world, co-working spaces are becoming more available, and for good reason. As the trend to live and work on the go has created a need for comfortable temporary office space, wherever the nomadic worker lands, they are popping up all over the globe.
Co-working spaces offer creative, more affordable alternatives to traditional office environments – in short, workable work areas, even on the move. If you haven’t considered shared workspace yet, here are a few of the reasons why perhaps you should
- Good Connections: One of the challenges of working in far-flung locations is connecting digitally, either for the actual work or communicating with clients. Good Wi-Fi or at minimum internet access is essential and in most cases, spaces engineered for co-working provide some of the best connectivity in a
- Natural Networking: Solitary work spaces limit your networking abilities. Immersed in an environment where others are pursuing their own projects can expose you to new thoughts, information and relationships you may not have experienced otherwise. You could be thrown into an entirely new industry or area of expertise just by working in a shared environment with new people.
- Community: A group of people using the same space offers many benefits, including the ability to find another professional for assistance or input in times of need. Simply being around others who have a similar work ethic can be inspiring.
- Ambience: Anyone who has ever been stuck in a tiny, ill-equipped hotel room trying to bang out inspirational words or the elements of a completely new idea, can relate to the importance of ambience. Many of these work havens offer a cool vibe, appealing space and a vibrant co-tenancy. Consider that you can find space in a beachside building or with a skyline views, connecting you to your out-of-the-box living even more.
- Meeting Rooms: Many accommodations also offer meeting rooms, which can be great for client meetings or collaboration on projects. Finding a meeting space can be a difficult task out of an environment like this, because you’re chancing unknown Wi-Fi capabilities, noise distractions – such as in a coffee shop summits – and lack of privacy. The professionalism of having an available conference room could be the trigger that gets you the client you’ve been working on for a while.
- Call Rooms: Speaking of privacy, have you ever had to conduct a Skype call in an open space? Tough for good communication and often objected to by others. Again, you can often find dedicated areas specifically for a Skype type call in these open office environments.
- Lack of Distractions: Whether you’re living in a hotel or apartment, your home base can be a source of constant distractions. In the middle of a paper or project, you may be tempted by a nap or maybe a bit of television or finishing up a chore you meant to do the night before. Whatever it is, you won’t find that in a shared working area. If distractions do occur, it is likely in meeting a new collaborator or client – a benefit rather than a loss of focus.
- Office Essentials: If you’re a traveling business person or a digital nomad, you know carrying all the office essentials with you is nearly impossible. Need a paper cutter? How about a copier? A binding machine? Even staplers and scissors can be a challenge. When you’re choosing a co-working office, you may want to make sure these items are available. They usually are.
- Easy Sustenance: If you tend to hunker down and power through an assignment or project, you may find yourself suddenly aware of a need for nourishment. Often, these workplaces are accompanied by a snack bar or even a restaurant area, so a quick bite or cup of coffee to get you through is easily available.
- Reduced Costs: Which leads to considering the reduced costs of maintaining an upscale office environment in a good location. Nomadic professionals often need to offset a client’s preconception of impermanence as amateurish. Permanence can cost a lot in a traditional office building. However, if you find the right organization and location the costs of high rent, upkeep, utilities and furnishings go away but professionalism remains.
- Freedom: The non-binding relationship with both a building and the landlord as in a co-working space hands you a new-found freedom. Long-term or short-term, the decision to stay is yours.
- Energy: If you’ve experienced feelings of isolation while working in a new and unfamiliar city, state or country, then settling into a shared working space may help eliminate that mood and imbue you with a new energy. Co-working spaces often maximize productivity.
Whatever your reasons for living the life of a digital nomad, you’ve probably found by now that it is a constantly evolving experience. The time may have come to consider co-working environments to up your game or reduce your challenges. There are many out there now and they are continually popping up as an itinerant lifestyle becomes the norm for an increasing population.